115 of the
172 complaints about the 1995 Lincoln Mark Viii are about the
lighting — 67% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
72,500 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 LINCOLN MARK VIII. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM CAUSING THE CONTACT TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.
NHTSA complaint #10715954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 181,000 milesSAN Antonio, TXCrash1 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DIM HEADLIGHTS CAUSE POOR STREET VISIBILITY AND HIT VEHICLE PARKED IN THE STREET IN A DARK COMMERCIAL AREA. HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE OPENED TO SERVICE AND HEADLIGHTS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO ORDER NEW. NO AFTERMARKET OPTIONS. HAS BEEN USING HIGH BEAMS IN DARK AREAS.
NHTSA complaint #10669911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesSAN Antonio, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT LENS BECOMES DISCOLORED AND NO REPLACEMENT AND LENS CANNOT BE REMOVED TO CLEAN INSIDE. LIMITS VISUALIZATION OF ROAD AND ONE COULD HIT WILD ANIMALS CROSSING THE STREET.
NHTSA complaint #10668376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 174,000 milesSAN Antonio, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
POOR VISIBILITY AT NIGHT DUE TO POOR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. HIGH BEAMS EQUIVALENT TO WHAT LOW BEAMS SHOULD BE. HAVE EVEN REPLACED HEADLIGHTS WITH USED PARTS WITH MORE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL INTACT. HAVE PURCHASE POLISHING KITS FOR LENS. LENS REMAINS YELLOWED AND SCRATCHED, AND LIGHTING DIM DESPITE USE OF SYLVANIA SILVER STAR BULBS. NO NEW HALOGEN LIGHTS AVAILABLE, AND USE PARTS ARE WELL OVER 100 A PIECE, AND CONTAIN THE SAME DEFECTS. HID KITS ARE $150+. OWNER SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AFTERMARKET ENHANCEMENTS TO VEHICLE TO ALLOW FOR SAFE NIGHT DRIVING WHEN HEADLIGHT DIMNESS IS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE INHERENT DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10537829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,067 milesGarland, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TRAVELING FROM DALLAS, TX TO ATHENS, AL 7:30PM LIGHTS SO DIM I COULD BARELY SEE THE ROAD AHEAD. I HAVE USED CLEANING KITS SEVERAL TIMES TO CLEAN THE HEADLIGHT LENS WITH NO RESULTS. I ALSO PURCHASED AND INSTALLED REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES FROM EBAY WITH NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE LIGHTING. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT BULBS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THIS IS REALLY A SAFETY PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR. ..UPDATED 01/17/2013
NHTSA complaint #10493943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,067 milesGarland, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TRAVELING FROM DALLAS, TX TO ATHENS, AL 7:30PM LIGHTS SO DIM I COULD BARELY SEE THE ROAD AHEAD. I HAVE USED CLEANING KITS SEVERAL TIMES TO CLEAN THE HEADLIGHT LENS WITH NO RESULTS. I ALSO PURCHASED AND INSTALLED REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES FROM EBAY WITH NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE LIGHTING. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT BULBS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THIS IS REALLY A SAFETY PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR. ..UPDATED 01/17/2013
NHTSA complaint #10493943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, AZ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE VIEW OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. MOST OF THE TIME I CANNOT EVEN TELL IF MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ACTUALLY ON WHEN I TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. I AM FORCED TO USE MY BRIGHTS JUST TO SEE THE ROAD IN ORDER TO DRIVE SAFELY, BUT THIS IMPAIRS THE VIEW FOR ON COMING TRAFFIC. IN ADDITION, CONVERSION KITS AND LABOR ARE EXPENSIVE, AND I SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO PAY FOR AN AFTERMARKET MODIFICATION TO UPGRADE MY VEHICLE WHEN THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT VIOLATES THE DRIVER'S SAFETY. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS THEMSELVES HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED SO WHEN THEY DO MALFUNCTION FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO PURCHASE THE HEADLIGHT OR AN UPGRADED VERSION. FURTHERMORE, NEWER MARK VIII'S (>1996) HAVE A TOTALLY DIFFERENT HEADLIGHT DESIGN AND DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, BUT PARTS ARE NOT INTERCHANGABLE AND APPLYING AN AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHT REQUIRES PRECISION AND EXPENSIVE BODY WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10457406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Milwaukee, WI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS ON MY 1995 LINCOLN MARK VIII ARE HORRIBLY DIM. DRIVING AT NIGHT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. WHEN IT'S RAINING OR FOGGY IT'S EVEN WORSE. NEW BULBS DO NOTHING SINCE THE PLASTIC LENSES ARE ALL YELLOWED AND THE CHROME REFLECTIVE MATERIAL IS GONE.
NHTSA complaint #10212874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesOwensboro, KY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
POOR NIGHT VISIBILITY DUE TO SEVER DEGRADATION OF OEM HEADLAMP SYSTEM AND THAT THIS MAKES NIGHT DRIVING DANGEROUS IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE WITH OUT SOME SORT OF AFTERMARKET LIGHTING SYSTEM OR OEM REPLACEMENTS WHICH WILL SOON FAIL AND CAUSE THE ISSUE ALL OVER AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10212622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA LUZ, NM
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1995 MARK VIII WITH A RECALL CONCERNING THE HEADLAMPS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN DURING THE NIGHT TIME DUE TO HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THESE RECALLS.
NHTSA complaint #10208284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Modesto, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
VERY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT IN 2 WAY TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #10163465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broken Arrow, OK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
OEM HEADLIGHT SYSTEM FAILS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE NIGHT TIME VISIBILITY WHICH CAUSES CONCERNS IN DRIVING AT NIGHT TIME DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. AT THIS TIME I AM RESEARCHING PRICES TO REPLACE THE LAMPS OR ENTIRE ASSEMBLY AND THEY AREN'T CHEAP!
NHTSA complaint #10163304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Renton, WA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
MY HEADLIGHTS ON MY 95 LINCOLN MARK VIII ARE THE WORST ENGINEERED HEADLIGHTS THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN ON A LUXURY VEHICLE. THEY ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AHEAD. I HAVE TO USE THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS TO SEE DOWN THE ROAD AND THAT IS NOT RIGHT FOR ON COMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10160658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,700 milesBothell, WA1 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
STOCK AND STANDARD AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS ON GENERATION ONE LINCOLN MARK VIII ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IN PLACES LIKE WASHINGTON STATE. I HAVE RUN OFF THE ROAD MANY OCCASIONS. HEADLIGHTS DO NOT GIVE ENOUGH LIGHT TO SAFELY DRIVE AT NIGHT OR IN RAIN/BAD WEATHER. PERSONALLY I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS DO TO THE LACK OF LIGHT AND OR HAD TO USE BRIGHTS. IF IT EVER DOES HAPPEN I WILL DEFIANTLY GO AFTER FORD MOTOR COMPANY. YOU PLAIN AND SIMPLY CAN'T SEE THE ROAD, ANYTHING ON THE ROAD, STREET SIGNS, LANE MARKERS, FOG LINES, NOTHING. YOU ARE ESPECIALLY BLIND WHEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS THERE WHEN ITS DARK OR RAINING. I LITERALLY HAVE TO MEMORIZE WHERE I AM GOING SO I CAN TRY TO GET THERE SAFELY AS SUCH I CAN'T SEE A DARN THING. I HAVE TRIED NEW HEADLAMP HOUSINGS, NEW LIGHT BULBS, EVEN $25 A PIECE AND NOT ANY IMPROVEMENT ADJUSTING FROM FORD DEALERSHIPS AND ON MY OWN. THERE IS NO SAFE PLACE TO MOUNT FOG LIGHTS EITHER. FORD HAS HID LIGHTS FOR LCS MARK VIII'S THAT WOULD WORK BUT AVG. JOE CAN'T AFFORD THE $$$ TO DO THE CONVERSION. I COME FROM A FAMILY OF COPS AND KNOW THE LAW WELL, FORD IS LIABLE FOR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS AS A RESULT OF THIS DESIGN FLAW.
NHTSA complaint #10160466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Addy, WA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1995 LINCOLN MARK VIII HEADLIGHTS VERY DIM, HARD TO SEE ROAD AT NIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10159881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bowling Green, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ON MY 95 LINCOLN MARK VIII THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE REAL POOR SEEING AT NIGHT TIME I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST A SIMPLE FIX BUT BEING ON THE INTERNET I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE I HAD CALLED UP FORD THEY HAD TOLD ME THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO BUY NEW LIGHTS AT A COST OF OVER 600 $ PER SIDE I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS CAR I JUST WANTED TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION AND LET YOU KNOW ABOUT IT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME.
NHTSA complaint #10157490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 milesVisalia, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
"I HAVE A 1995 LINCOLN MARK VIII LSC. THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE SO DIM, AT NIGHT I AM UNABLE TO HAVE A FULL VISUAL OF WHAT MOST CAR-OWNERS ARE ABLE TO SEE. THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR, WITH BRAND NEW BULBS)I KNOW SOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE AROUND THE SAME YEAR AS ME WITH THE SAME MODEL (2 1994'S AND 1 1995) THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO LOOKED INTO IT THROUGH VAST AMOUNTS OF MARK VIII FORUMS AND THE RESULT IS THE SAME. THIS IS A HAZARD TO EVERYONE'S SAFETY IN AND AROUND THESE VEHICLES, AND THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MUST BE RECTIFIED BY THE LINCOLN MANUFACTURE. THIS IS A DEFINITE RECALL MATTER. THANK YOU " J. SCHOTTHOEFER
NHTSA complaint #10157179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesFriendswood, TXCrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
POORLY DESIGNED HEADLIGHTS THAT WERE UPGRADED BY LINCOLN IN 1996 THE UPGRADE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RETROFIT INTO THE 1993-1995 CARS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ALONG THE SAME LINES AS MAKING ANTILOCK BRAKES OPTIONAL. SAFETY FEATURES ARE NOT OPTIONS!
NHTSA complaint #10155654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 milesRIO Rancho, NM
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I HAVE A 1995 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE SO DIM, AT NIGHT I AM UNABLE TO HAVE A FULL VISUAL OF WHAT MOST CAR-OWNERS ARE ABLE TO SEE. THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR, (WITH BRAND NEW BULBS). I KNOW A FEW PEOPLE THAT HAVE AROUND THE SAME YEAR AS ME WITH THE SAME MODEL (2 1994'S AND 1 1995) AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO LOOKED INTO IT THROUGH VAST AMOUNTS OF MARK VIII FORUMS AND THE RESULT IS THE SAME. THIS IS A HAZARD TO EVERYONE'S SAFETY IN AND AROUND THESE VEHICLES, AND THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MUST BE RECTIFIED BY THE LINCOLN MANUFACTURER. THIS IS A DEFFERENT RECALL MATTER. THAN YOU NICOLAS L.
NHTSA complaint #10154220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 milesRIO Rancho, NM
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
I HAVE A 1995 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE SO DIM, AT NIGHT I AM UNABLE TO HAVE A FULL VISUAL OF WHAT MOST CAR-OWNERS ARE ABLE TO SEE. THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR, (WITH BRAND NEW BULBS). I KNOW A FEW PEOPLE THAT HAVE AROUND THE SAME YEAR AS ME WITH THE SAME MODEL (2 1994'S AND 1 1995) AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO LOOKED INTO IT THROUGH VAST AMOUNTS OF MARK VIII FORUMS AND THE RESULT IS THE SAME. THIS IS A HAZARD TO EVERYONE'S SAFETY IN AND AROUND THESE VEHICLES, AND THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MUST BE RECTIFIED BY THE LINCOLN MANUFACTURER. THIS IS A DEFFERENT RECALL MATTER. THAN YOU NICOLAS L.
NHTSA complaint #10154220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Narvon, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS ARE DANGEROUS. NIGHT DRIVING IS TOTALLY UNSAFE. CANNOT SEE WELL EVEN WITH HIGH BEAMS ON.
NHTSA complaint #10153452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Randolph, MA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I OWN A 1995 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE HEADLIGHTS PROVIDE INADEQUATE VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. THE HEADLIGHTS DETERIORATE PREMATURELY. I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE OF POOR DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #10153151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesLAS Vegas, NV
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE AND YOU CANNOT SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT MAKING NIGHT DRIVING VERY DANGEROUS. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN EXPRESSED BY NEARLY ALL 1993-1996 LINCOLN MARK VIII OWNERS.
NHTSA complaint #10153117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pine Beach, NJ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
MY 1995 LINCOLN MARK VIII HAS THE WORST HEADLIGHTS AND I'M AFRAID THAT I'LL GET INTO AN ACCIDENT OR HIT A PEDESTRIAN AT NIGHT. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE 10 FT IN FRONT OF ME, EVEN WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON. I DON'T KNOW HOW FORD CAN GET AWAY WITH MAKING SUCH HORRIBLE HEADLIGHTS. I LOVE THE CAR AND DON'T WANT TO SELL IT BECAUSE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. WOULD FORD BE ABLE TO COMPENSATE ME THE MONEY IF I WERE TO BUY NEW HEADLIGHTS SO CAN SEE AT NIGHT? I'M A FULL-TIME STUDENT AND CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY NEW ONES. PLEASE HELP ME BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS. THANK YOU!
NHTSA complaint #10153121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesBirdsboro, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS DETERIORATED ON INSIDE,CHROME REFLECTOR BURNS AWAY. PURCHASED NEW HEADLAMP UNITS AND IN LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS SAME THING HAPPENED,1995 LINCOLN MARK VIII,VERY HARD TO USE CAR AT NIGHT WITH THIS PROBLEM, OVER $500 TO REPLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10153135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pine Beach, NJ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
EVER SINCE I'VE OWNED MY 1995 LINCOLN MARK VIII, I HAVE TROUBLE DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM. I AM REALLY GOING TO GET INTO A BAD ACCIDENT ONE DAY AND HURT ME AND OTHERS. MY HIGH BEAMS AREN'T EVEN ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED LOW BEAMS. THERE'S BEEN TO MANY OCCURRENCES WHERE I DIDN'T SEE A PEDESTRIAN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PRACTICALLY HIT THEM. I AM CURRENTLY GO TO COLLEGE AND CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY THE SAFE LIGHTING THAT SHOULD'VE CAME ON THE CAR. I KNOW THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. WOULD FORD REIMBURSE ME IF I WERE TO BUY THE HID LIGHTS? PLEASE HELP ME.
NHTSA complaint #10139595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I OWN A 1995 LINCOLN MARK VIII. DUE TO POOR DESIGN, THE HEADLIGHTS MAKE NIGHT TIME DRIVING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I HAVE REPLACED BULB AFTER BULB, CLEANED THE LENSES AND TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALERS SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL COST $2000.00. UNACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10130488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesSanta Rosa, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
VERY BAD HEADLIGHTS. FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS AND GETTING WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #10130026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesBurlington, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT: CALLER STATED HEADLIGHTS HAD A MILKY FILM ON THEM, AND IT MADE IT HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT. IT SEEMED TO BE GETTING WORSE. DEALER SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SYSTEM. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.
NHTSA complaint #10130056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesChino Valley, AZ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I AM CURRENTLY AN OWNER OF A 1995 LINCOLN MARK 8 AND WANT TO REPORT AN ISSUE I AND MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE WITH THE CAR. HEADLIGHT HOUSING FAILURE: THE DESIGN OF THE EARLY AND MID 90'S LINCOLN MARK 8 HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY POOR. THE HOUSINGS TEND TO TURN YELLOW OR TURN CLOUDY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, MAKING THE CAR UNUSABLE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. THERE ARE MANY (I SHOULD SAY ALL) OTHERS THAT HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS A WEBSITE DEVOTED TO LINCOLN MARK 8 OWNERS, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE MAIN COMPLAINTS. HTTP://WWW.MARK8.ORG/LOD/. UNFORTUNATELY, REPLACING THE STOCK HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS ONLY BANDAIDS THE PROBLEM, AS THE NEW HOUSINGS YELLOW AND TURN CLOUDY VERY SHORTLY AFTER BEING INSTALLED. HOWEVER, THERE IS AN EASY FIX FOR THESE MODEL YEARS. STARTING IN 97', THE FORD COMPANY SWITCHED TO THE HID LIGHTING SYSTEM AND CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE HOUSING, ELIMINATING THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE SINCE CHANGED THE LENSES STARTING WITH THE 1997 LINCOLNS. I JUST WANTED TO PUT IN A COMPLAINT TO YOU TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, JIM AYRES
NHTSA complaint #10127360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.